Creeping traction mechanism



Feb. '23 1926. 1,15%,041

" s. R. w. M. BAGER ET AL CREEPING TRACTION MECHANISM k 'i ii' n mercwwa. SRMMM BEG-ER v WERNER Laugh/w pit-haw Feb. 23 1926..

s. R. w. M. BAG ER ET AL' CREEPINC} TRACTION MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. '7, 1921 I I I I 0 V w W mm men/531 s 5. A. W. M. 5 7 e52 WERAER Ls/wwaw Feb; 23 1926.

. 1,574,041 5. R. w. M. BAGER Er AL CREEPING TRACTION wmcnmusm Original Filed Feb. 7, 1.921 5 Sheets-Shet :s

R. W. M. 5? 6+ ER WERNER L zswwi/w (fl. fitor meg Patented Feb. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES 'SVANTE .R. W. M. BAGER ANDWERNER LEHMAN,

, tartan PATENT orricaw- OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN,

ASSIGNORS TO BUGYRUS COMPANY; OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CUB,-

POBATION OF WISCONSIN.

CREEPING TRACTION MECHANISM.

Application filed February], 1921, Serial No. 443,164. Renewed January 21, 1928.

To all whom. it may concern Be it known that we, SVAXTE R. \Y. El. Blatant and \Vnnxrn Lnnualw. both citizens of the United States, and residents of South 5 Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of "Wisconsin, have invented certain new an d'u seful Improvements in Creeping Traction Mechanism; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full. clear, and exact description thereof.

This invention relates to creeping traction mecltanism for use, primarily. in connect-ion with'heavy, portable machinery. suchas power excavators and the like. I

The general aim of the invention is to simplify, lighten and otherwise generally improve the construction of devices of this character.

The operating machinery in power ext-a 20, voters and similar apparatus is ordinarily carried by a sub-base or frame usually mounted upon wheels or otherwise equipped to provide portability. This frame is commonly of a heavy construction. in orderto' provide the necessary strength and rigidity for supporting the operating parts and for withstanding the severe working stresses cha acteristic of apparatus of this type. A

frame having the requisite strength and J rigidity forthis-purpose, but of an im-v proved and comparatively light constr'uction. is disclosed in the copending application of S. R. \Y. M. Bager, Serial No. 443.-

106. tiled February 7, 1021.

One specific objectof the present invention is the provision of a creeping traction mechanism, especially fitted for use with a frame, such as that described in the application referred-to.

Another object is the provision of a creepin; traction mechanism for excavators and the like, so constructed and arranged as to avoid the requirement for auxiliary frames, so commonly employed in devices of this character.

Other objects and advantages will later appear. y

One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

= which:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a main supporting frame of an excavating machine havinp the principles of this invention 0111- bod led therein the form of a single overlapping the side cover plates intermediate portions of theside bars 1- Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Figure 1 and particularly illustrating the creeping traction mechanism;

F igure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3- -3 of Figurel;

Figure -l is a similar view the line t-l of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a pair of tread belt links looking at the inner side thereof;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View through one of these links on a plane indicated by the line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of one of the driving tumblers and a plurality of the tread belt links;

Figure 8 is-a fragmentary plan view of the rim of one of the driving tumblers, and

Figure 9 is a detailed elevational view of one of the tape-up structures for the front axle. i v

The creeping traction mechanism selected for illustration is shown applied to the main supporting frame of a power excavator. This frame is substantially the same that described in the copendinp application above referred to. It is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a. pair of longitudinally spaced side. bars or' sills 1 and end bars or sills 2. The middle portion of this frame is braced on the plane of by two pairs of intermediate transverse sills or bars .3 and 4, all of which bars as well as the side and end bars are preferably of hcavyl-beam construction. A pair of side .cover plates 5 are disposed on and extend inwardly from the top flanges of the side bars ljand these plates are riveted to said side bars and-the transverse bars. while a transverse cover plate (3 is disposed on each pair of the intermediate transverse bars 3 and-4 and riveted to their flanges.

. 3 A rack andwrack member preferablym annular 'castin c 7 is mounted on the several cover plates, it resting particularly on the cover plates 6 snpported by the transverse bars.3 .a-nd l, and

(see Figure 1). The' casting, 7 is riveted as at 8 to the several cover plates and is thus retained in proper relation to the elements of the main frame. The rack and 'track member includes inwardly extending 5- and the' di fie rent central bearing sleeve receives a vertical propulsion shaft 12 which is connected with the-machinery drive mechanism (not shown),

and the upper end of said sleeve also forms a trunnion for the revolving frame (also not shown) which rests on the track portion of the casting 7.

The rack and track castingis further secured lLO'lLlIG other parts otthe frame by pairs of tie bolts 13Qwhichare passed through said attaching plates 11, each pair of said bolts' straddling a respective transverse bar '3 and being connected at their lower ends by a suitable tie plate member to be later described. These bolts l1 ohvi .oiislytake up the tilting stresses involved in the operation ofv the heavy i'iiarhinerv mounted onthe main supporting ti-ante and relieve such stresses from the various rivets, v

- whirl-rover IiiUlHllSH'G action is desired, and

including the rivets 8.

In adapting this main supporting 'traiiie for a creeping traction mechanism, two i'l'ide barsll are secured under the forward, P01: tion of each side bar'l longitudinally there 01, and a front axle 15 is disposed 'transversely across the -lraine, the same being supported at its oppositeends by means ot a pair of split clamp collars 16. llaclro't these split Cl1Q1Ilp,-C0llZllS 16 has an upper flat bearing taco for engagement with a -Sll11- ilarface of its respective slide bar, and also is provided with an upwardly disposed hook extension 1"? slidab'ly'embracing an edge of the co-operating slide bar 151:. The axle 15- carries idle tread belt wheels ltl, and/the slidable connections of the collars :16 with the-slide bars it provide for takeupadjustment (if such wheels, this adjust ment boingeliected by screws 19 having theirforward ends squared .and engaged in --squared sockets in the collars 10. 'lhe rear ends of the screws are passed through brat-ket cars 20 depending t'ro'ii'i the. rear ends of the slide bars 14 and have holding nuts it threaded thereon at the forward sides 0! the bracket ears for cngagci'nent with the latter.

--The rearc nd portions of the side b ars'l carry a pair of depending. axle bearing'rs through which extends the rear 7 axle 223 of the vehicle, one end portion of the axle loein'g directly 'jou'riialcd in its bearing 2:2,

W hile the other end portion of the axle extends through and is julll'llllltxl in a sleeve vtunil der ri ms 'a pair of pivot ears 38' and has its other side series .ot links 4 130 27 being trained about these tumblers and about the idler wh'eels18 carried by the ends of thet'ront axle 15, the structure of these, belts and tumblers being hereinafter described in detail.

The inner end of-the sleeve 24 terminates adjacent the center of the axle and carries a fixed bevel gear 28 which meshes with a similar' gear 29 carried by a countershaft 30 extending longitudinally of the vehicle frame and havingbevel gear connection 251 with the vertical drive shaft 12. Said bevel I gear 2%) also meshes with a like gear-32 loose ly mounted on the axle, said gears 28 and 32 being thus spaced apart and receiving a thins when the clutch member 33 is engaged with the grr-r 28. the sleeve 24 is locked to the aide slxal't and both of the drive tumblers 25 and 24; will be rotated in the same direction to procure direct: propulsion of the vehicle in either direction in fl(C(ll"tl'tlllCC with the direction of rotation ot' the gear iii practice "would be provided with reversible di'i\e liltilllh. \Vhen the clutch is in neutral however, the drive tumbler 23 alone will-be rctated; which will procure a turn ing ino'vciiient of the vehicle in either di-, rection, in accordance with the direction of rotation of the gear 39. \Yhen, however, it is desired to turn the vehicle about on its own axis-the clutch 33 is engaged with the gear jltZ. thus locking said gear 32 to the axle and. c-ll' ctin-g' rotation of the sleeve and axle.

and their ca ried drive tumblers. in opposite into a skeleton inner wall which carries a pair of channel flanges 37 spaced apart a distance correspoi'iding to the width of the Each link carries at one side portion cut away to receive the pivot ears- .39 which ltlfl of the next adjacent link, pivot pins 39 being passed through the interen aging parts of the links and held in place by relatively smaller retaining pins 40, the same being extended transversely through outer ends of the pivot pins and engaged in the adjacent corners of the corresponding links.

Each of the tread belt Wheels and tumblers comprises a hub portion a mounted ,on the 0 respective axle end and carrying a radial ribs (2 tap ribs are enlarged i center, the belts are re tinnblers to the latter.

Web 6 widened at its outer periphery to provide the Wheel rim 0 fitting between the channel flanges 3? of the links, said. web being formed with a series of radial brace eriug'ly increased in depth toward the hub portion. On the idler wheels of the front axle these ribs guide channel of the tread belt. but on the tumblers and 26 the outer ends of the n slightly oralelevation to form drivin; sprockets e that are adapted to engage between the opposed ends of the channel flanges? which thus define driving recesses.

It is to be noted that while the tread belts and the individual, links thereof are relatively wide. the wheels 18 and tumblers 25 and 26 are relatively narrow. and although thelatter engage the former only in the tained in proper operativeposition at all times. This is largely occasioned by the individual guide channel .on each belt link together with the means t'or transmitting power from the driving In other Words the flanges 37 in addition to jnels define sprocket re tu'centheir opposite ends.-and these recesses decrease-in size as the tread belts pass around the tumblers so that the sprockets thereof 'are relatively snugly enc'z'ie'ed. This constant changing of the size of the sprocket receiving recesses discourages the tendency of any materials clogging or caking therein consequent exclusion of the ceivinc recesses be and the sprockets. It will be noted from.

scription that each traction unit is connected to the main frame through the axles 15 and 23' which are secured to and project outwardly beyond the sides of the frame. Zihese axles thusconstitute cantilever sup ports by which the tractionunits are mount;

ed. on'theframe.

Cantileier supports are provided for'the intermediate stretches of end portion of which forms a tie plate nem beril fora.resneotive'pair of tie bolts '13. the enter end"portion onthe other hand being 'a-- sti1b'axle 43;] As most clearly shown in Figured, each of the brackets-41 underlies tIiemainsuppOr'ting frame and bears against theside bar 1' thereof, the stub axle 43 extending into' the plane of the center of a tcrmiuat'e.short of theforming guide chanthe loregoiiig do I :the. tread belts.- these each -including' a bracket 4'1,'-the innertreadbelt. Intermediate idler Wheels or rollers 44, which are substhntially similar to the wheels 18, are jou'rnaled on the stub axles 43. their peripheries"beingadapted to 2am in the guide channels of the tread belts and t'o.en eage.both the upper andlower stretches thereof. For instance the axis of the stub axles 421 is below the horizontal plane of the axis of the-front and rear axles and the Wheels 44; retain, the lower stretches, of the tread belts substantially horizontal and hold the same in working contact with the ground, the upper stretchers, on the other hand, while supported by said Wheels 44 are permitted to sag.

construction it is possible to effectively mount a creeping d rive mechanism at one side of a supporting frame on u'bich different types of operating machinery can be carried and entirely and adequately support the same Without the addition of the u ual auxiliary frames. We build a relatively ligh also'a main supporting frame of relatively great-strength and lightness.

It will be obvious from the description tal'en in connection accompanying drawings that v fications and changes may be the herein described preferred of the invention. \vithout the principles thereof or sa the advantages.

\Ve clainiz. I

1.1m a creeping traction mechanism. a supporting frame including "bars, a plurali bars, a supersti t creeping. unit and foregoing with the arious 'niodimade from embodiment ty of transverse conn 'ucture track mount-edon said bars. and tie bolts extendcdthrough said track and engaged with certain of said transverse bars, brackets extending the side bars of the frame inner ends secured by'said tie bolt-s, said ends formingtie plates for thwlalte porting: axles carried by the ing their ends extended b liars; endless tread belt rc the ends of theaxles, an

posed around each" co-opera wheels. and rollers on said brackets for engaging intermediate stretches of the belts. 2. In a creepingtraction mechanism. a supporting-frame including a pair of side bars, a pair of end bars connecting the side bars. a pair of s aced intermediately disposed transverse liars connecting" said side bars. a superstructure track mounted on the side and intermediate bars. a plurality of pairs of tie bolts extending through the track. the bolts of each pair straddling: one or the ther oi said intermediate ll'illl \(l:'l' bars. brackets extendin outwardly oi the side bars of the frame, each of said brackets and having their frame and haveyond the side ceiving wheels on endless tread disare thus enabled to a pair nt -side cot-mg I r. sup

departing frozncrlficing anyof outwardly of ting pair of,

having its inner 'endsecured by one of said :yond said sills, wheels: on said axle mem- 55 pairs of tie bolt'spsaid ends forming-tie plates for said pairs of bolts, supporting axles carried; by the ;tra1ne and having their ends extended beyond the sidebars,

' endless tread belt receiving wheels on the ends of the axles, an endless tread belt disdosed around veach -0 aeratin hair of wheels, and rollers on. said" b 'ackcts for. engaging the'intermediatestretches of the el i l r 3. In acreeping I traction n'iechanism, a'

supporting frame lnclnd-in'g a pair-of si-de bars, a"1 lurality of transverse connecting bars, a superstructure track mounted on said bars,'and tiebolts extended through said track and engagedwith certain of-saul transverse bars, said tie bolts icing spaced inwardly ofthe side bars, l-n'ackets extending, outwardly offthe side bars of the frame and having their intermediate portions in. hearing engagement with 'the under surface thereof, said ln'acke'tshaving their inner ends coined by saidtie bolts, said ends forming Lie plates for the latter, supporting axles 'arried by the frame and having their ends 'extended beyond the side bars, endless tread .belt receiving wheels on'the ends 'o'fjthe wheels.

axles, an'endless Itread belt disposed around each co-operating pair of wheels, and rollers on said brackets, said-rollers being "located outwardly of the sidebars ofthe frame the belts. i i v 4. In a creeping traction mechanism a rigid supporting frame including a pair of side sills, brackets beneath said-sills, said brackets having'braee members extending inwardly :of the sills and secured to sta frame adjacent their inner' ends, said bracle; -ets having axle members extend ng outward- -ly of said sills, wheels on-said axle l'i-iembers,

and an endless tread belt atfeach side of'said frame p1'ov1u1ng endless tracks for said- 5.,-In a creeping, traction mechanism a rigid support ng frame including a pair of side -s1lls, bracketsbeneath said sills,lsaid brackets having brace members ext-ending inwardly of-said sills and secured to said frame-adjacent their inner ends, said brackct having axle members extending outward- 1 1y of said sills, axles extending transversely of sald frame and project!ngoutwardly be-- bers and on the projecting ends of said axles, and endless tread belts at opposite 'at each side of said frame mounted on the. pro ecting ends-of said axles, respectively,

v,the wheels of each series having relatively relatively narrow guide channel formed along the inner-surface of "each tread belt in'which all the"wheels of a ser'ies'engage.

7. In a creeping, traction mechanism the con'lbination of a rigid-base frame, axles mounted beneath said frame andprojecting.

beyond ti o sides thereof, a series of wheels including endwheels and [intermediate narrow rims disposed in a common plane. a -i'elatuely broad endless tread belt comprls- Wheels at each side ofsaid framemounted on the projecting ends of said axles, respertively, the wheels of each series having rel- -atively-narrow rims, a relatively broad endand engaged with intermediate stretehcs of less tle'addirlt trained aboutez'u h series of Wheels; ear-h tread belt ro iniirisi'ng' a series of slab shaped links closely connected to form a substantially continuous tread surface, hinge,connertions behveen said 'links' "tain the cimt-inuily of said surface, and,

in nner surfacesof u istandine" (hinges on t aid links;forming central runway for all the wheels of a series, said runway being disposed well within the edges of the tread bel we have hereunto set our hands, llilunxnn liiziruxx Inn inn subsrribed at South \lilwaukee, in ,thecounty of illilwaul-zee and "Htate of Wisconsin, and HvAx'rn R. ll. M. llzxo'cu' lurving sul)srribed at ivlemphis, in the coin see.

lVIfl'RN l jlt liltl'l MAN. i

SVANTE R, W. M; BAGER.

ityol' bhellry and State of Tonnes in t'estinionthat we claihrthe foregoing, 

